Obit: Cresswell, Wilbur B. (1873 - 1934)
Poster:  Crystal Wendt
Email:  crystalwendt@aol.com 

Surname: Cresswell, Wenger, Beers, Coleman, Longenecker, Van Gorden

Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 11 Oct. 1934

Cresswell, Wilbur B. (15 Dec. 1873 – 5 Oct. 1934)

CRESSWELL TAKEN BY HEART ATTACK

Dentist of This City Succumbs in Hotel at Chippewa Falls

This community was grieved to learn Saturday morning that Dr. W. B. Cresswell for more than a third of the century a resident of Neillsville had passed away suddenly the day previous, Oct. 5, at the Chippewa Hotel in the city of Chippewa Falls.

For several weeks Dr. Cresswell had been under treatment for heart trouble and other complications at Neillsville hospital and had gradually regained his strength, although not sufficiently to resume his practice. On Sept. 19 he went to Cadott to visit at the home of their nephew, Dr. Cunningham, and remained there for a few days. From there he went to Chippewa Falls and staid at the Hotel Chippewa, carried on by Herman Wegner who formerly operated the Merchants Hotel here and with whom Dr. Cresswell had boarded with Mr. Wegner was in business here. On Friday he did not come down from his room and late in the afternoon Mr. Wegner made investigation and found him death in bed. He had apparently been dead several hours. Mr. Wegner got in communication with Archie Van Gorden and Lowe’s ambulance was sent up to Chippewa Falls and the body was brought to Neillsville.

Dr. Wilbur B. Cresswell was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 15, 1873, the son of John S. and Mary Virginia Beers Cresswell. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, but his ancestors had lived for many generations in Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools in Philadelphia, and took up the study of dentistry at Drexel Institute in that city, being graduated in 1893. He practiced dentistry in Philadelphia for four years, and came to Kaukauna, Wis., where he practiced three years. He located in Neillsville in 1900, but also did work for a time at Cadott, Loyal and Greenwood.

Dr. Cresswell was especially skillful in his profession and had an extensive practice for many years.

He was a man of keen intellect, a close student of world affairs, reading widely both in history and current events. He was a man of fine presence, a good conversati9onalis and enjoyed meeting people of education and culture.

He is survived by one son Charles who graduated from Neillsville high school and later from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. He is now a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy and stationed on the island of Guam, being assistant to the governor of the island.

Dr. Cresswell leaves also two grandsons, sons of Lieut. Charles Cresswell, and one sister, Mrs. Frederick Coleman of Woodgate, New York.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at Lowe’s Funeral home, Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiating. The Neillsville Masonic Lodge hard charge of the funeral and the rites of that order were a part of the funeral services.

The body was taken to Philadelphia for burial in the family lot. The sister, Mrs. Coleman who was here for the funeral accompanied the remains.